New Barcelona boss Xavi has revealed that he snubbed the hazard to take over the Brazil country wide crew to seal his return to Camp Nou.
After months of hypothesis, his arrival turned into finally made legitimate on Saturday, with the legendary midfielder taking up from Ronald Koeman following his departure in October.
Barcelona had to strike a deal with Qatari aspect Al Sadd to buy Xavi out of his agreement, and the boss has discovered that they also needed to fend off competition from Brazil to get the deal completed.
"Yes, it is authentic that I spoke with Brazil," he confessed in his presentation (thru Marca). "The idea became to help Tite and take over the crew after the World Cup [in 2022].
"My dream changed into to come to Barcelona. I sense organized, with a number of self belief. I consider that that is the proper second."
Feeling equipped changed into very critical to Xavi, who went on to admit that he turned down Barcelona in advance in his managerial profession due to the fact he did no longer accept as true with the timing.
"The first instances that Barcelona got here calling, we didn't experience proper approximately it, both at a family or at a football stage," he admitted. "I felt that it changed into too early.
"Then, with the elections in between, it did no longer appear to be the right moment. Now, with Joan, I actually have a superb relationship. I suppose he's the great president that this membership has ever had. He referred to as me and I had no doubts.
"I know that Joan is a man who talks openly and speaks clearly. I see that the board appearance after the membership."
Xavi's first game in fee is a large one. He will make his managerial debut in a home in shape against pass-metropolis opponents Espanyol on Saturday 20 November. A crucial Champions League clash with Benfica in Lisbon follows hastily after.
